Multiple container package and carrier device



May 2, 1961 J. v. FISHER 2,982,399

MULTIPLE CONTAINER PACKAGE AND CARRIER DEVICE Original Filed March 19, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOHN YES/4E}? ATTORN EY J. v. FISHER 2,982,399

MULTIPLE CONTAINER PACKAGE AND CARRIER DEVICE May 2, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 19, 1953 INVENTOR. JOHN VESHEE ATTORNEY all vflllllllllliil/ flit d. t s

MULTIPLE CONTAINER PACKAGE AND a CARRIER DEVICE John V. Fisher, P.0. Box 46803, Los Angeles, 46, Califi,

assignor of twenty percent to Larry Crosby, Los Angeles, and twenty percentto Kenneth M. Crawford, San Marino, Calif.; Constance M. Fisher, administratrix of said John V. Fisher, deceased Application Oct, 8, 1956, Ser. No. 614,719, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 343,468, Mar. 19, 1953. Divided and this application Apr. 29, 1957, Ser. No. 660,992

15 Claims. Cl. 206-65) 2,917,877, which application was a continuation of my application Serial No. 343,468, filed March 19, 1953 on Can Package and Method, now abandoned.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a holder or carrier for a plurality of cans, which holder is easily and economically manufactured and assembled.

Another object is to provide an improved and ecotcrirg fi Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several gures.

Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown in that figure a flat piece of foldable sheet material, typically cardboard,

scored and cut for the purposes presently to be described. The piece as illustrated in Fig. 1 is designed to provide the can (perpendicularly to the end walls) and laterally nomical way of packaging a plurality of cans with cardboard or similar sheet materialwhereby there is readily obtained a tight and unyielding engagement between the holder and the cans, thus enabling the filled holder to be transported without danger of any can becoming loose and falling out of the package.

Another object is to provide an attractive and effective holder which, with its contents, can be conveniently stored in a refrigerator or other storage space until the packaged product is tobe consumed.

A further object is to provide a holder which gives maximum display to the label or other advertising material on each can packed'therein.

A further object is to provide a holder of the type described which is particularly well adapted to mass packaging operations.

'These and other objects will appear from the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank or stamping (cardboard, for example) from which the holder is made:

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the blank with certain portions folded to the initial packaging position:

Fig. 3 is a perspective view with the respective holding flaps foldedagainst and sealed to the tops and bottoms of'the cans:

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line XX of Fig. 2 showing the relative positions of one of the cans and a corresponding flap of the holder blank in the initial position shown in Fig. 2:

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line Y-Y of Fig. 3

showing the relative positions of one of the cans and'a corresponding flap of the holder blank in thesealed position shown in Fig. 3;

- Fig. 6 is a perspective of the assembled cans and holder with all holding flaps sealed, the assembly being partially folded toward the final position; I

Fig. 7 is aperspective of the finished holder loaded with the six cans; and" Fig. 8 is a fragmentary. representation of a variational form'ofthe invention.

beyondthe cylindrical side wall of the can. 7

Reference character 1 designates one of four identical end panels or holding flaps, the inner edge of panel 1 being defined by a fold line 2. Equally spaced along the outer edge of flap 1 are three tabs 3 which, as will be best seen in Figs. 6 and 7, are ultimately secured to the tops of the cans 4.

Opposite each of the tabs 3 and along the fold line 2 of the holding flap 1 is a three sided substantially ear-shaped cut 5 extending away from the corresponding tab 3 and so positioned that the end of each cut extends slightly over the fold line 2.

The other three end panels or holding flaps 1A, 1B and 1C are formed in the same manner as holding flap 1 and are similarly provided with tabs 3A, 3B and 3C and cuts 5A, 5B and .5C aligned on the respective fold lines 2A, 2B and 2C. The distance between fold line 2 and fold line 2B (also between lines 2A and 2C) is the same as the over all height of the cans to be packaged.

As will best be seenin Fig. 2, when the end panels or holding flaps 1, 1A, 1B and 1C are folded in either direction along their respective fold lines 2, 2A, 2B and 20, there will be formed, because of the cuts along the fold lines, a number of tabs or substantially ear-shaped projections 6 which, because of their function in the holder assembly, will be herein designated as wedging strips. The height of the wedging strips is approximately equal to, but preferably slightly greater than, the height of the bead on the can to be packaged; and the width of the strip is generally determined by the size and weight of the cans to be packed. A narrow wedging strip may be used for light cans, but generally speaking, the strip should be as wide as possible within the limits of proper functioning, as hereinafter described. As the wedging strips 6 are exposed by bending the holding flaps or panels 1, 1A, 1B and 1C, there .will also be formed a number of slots 7 in the sheet material, the outer edges of which are defined by the fold lines of the holding flap. While these cuts and the corresponding strips may have rounded corners, as shown, they may be squared Or arcuate if so desired. It will be understood that either such configuration or any other configuration by which the same result is accomplished will be included within the words ftabsf ears, wedging strips or substantially ear-shaped as used herein to refer to tabs 6.

At either end of the die-cut (Fig. l) is a projecting flap 8 which, whenfolded either way along its fold line 9 and sealed by any suitable means to the body of the blank, serves to reinforce that edge of the blank. As will be hereinafter explained, these reinforced edges on opposite ends of the initial blank are eventually brought together and stapled, as shown in Fig. 7.

The cut lines 10 and 11 and the fold lines 112 in the center of the upper and lower sections of the blanks define the handle of the assembled package as will hereinbut of slightly smaller radius than the tab, the cut being made on the holding flap immediately opposite the tab.

Having thus identified the various parts of the blank from which. the holder is constructed, I will now describe the method of assembly. Such description will be facilitated, however, by a preliminary comment on thewcdging action which is one of the principal features of novelty in this holder.

As as been hereinabove explained, the panels or portions 1, 1A, 1B and 1C will, when folded either way along their respective fold lines 2, 2A, 2B and 2C, expose the tabs 6 and the slots 7. Inasmuch as these tabs 6 and slots 7 are formed by the same cut it is obvious that if holding flap 1, for example, is folded first in one direction and then in the other direction along its fold line 2, each of its tabs 6 will (in the absence of any obstruction) move through its corresponding slot 7 and project first on one side of the blank and then on the other. When two opposing holding flaps are folded in the same direction (downwardly for example) and a can is placed longitudinally across the top of the gap between the two flaps, the relative position of the can and the blank is as shown in Fig. 4. The bead 12 on the can bears against the base of the tab 6 so that the tab 6 projects over the head 12 of the can parallel to the top of the can. Also, as will be noted, the bead 12 blocks the slot 7. If, while the can and blank are in this position, the holding flap 1 is folded in the opposite direction to bring the tab 3 to the top of the can 4 (Fig. 5) the tab 6 will, after the holding flap has been folded back for the first 90 degrees abut against the inside surface of the bead 12 of the can 4. As the holding fiap 1 is further moved to bring the tab 3 into engagement with the top of the can '4, and substantially parallel thereto, the tab 6 is firmly wedged against the radially inner side of head 12, so that when the tab 3 is secured to the top of the can by any suitable means, such. as by an adhesive, the tab 6 is in a tight, locked engagement with that inner side of the bead as shown in Fig. 5. Likewise the tab 6 of the holding flap 1B is in a lock wedging engagement with the bead at the opposite end of the can. tab 6 with the radially inner side of the associated bead serves to retain the sheet material of the holder tightly against the side wall of the can directly adjacent and beneath (axially inwardly of) the head, so that the bead is thus very elfectively interlocked with the holder.

If the tabs 3 are glued to the top of the can, the cuts 13, as will be noted, permit a parallel engagement between the tab and the top of the can and, further, reduce any tension or stress away from the sealing surface.

In commercialoperation the packaging procedure is substantially as follows:

The blank (Fig. l) is placed on a suitable loading channel of the same width as the blank between the fold lines 2 and 2B, the respective holding flaps are folded down and the cans are rolled or otherwise moved into position as shown in Fig. 2. The holding flaps are thereupon folded upward through 180 degrees to the position shown in Fig. 3, thus locking the cans into position, and the tabs 3, 3A, 3B and 3C are sealed to the tops of the cans by any suitable means such, for example, as an adhesive wax, or by other means, such as binding down the tabs with an adhesive tape or a tie-string. This folding operation will, as heretofore described, force each of the tabs 6 against the inside of the head 12 of the can 4 with which it is associated. Hence, as soon as the tabs 3 are sealed to the cans, the holder has a locked engagement with the cans which cannot be broken without either tearing the material or breaking the adhesive bond.

Next, as best illustrated in Fig. 6, the handle forming flaps defined bycuts and 11, are'folded upwardly and the straight line assembly of six cans 'is folded'at As will be apparent, this engagement of each the center (Fig. 6) to bring the cans back-to-back as shown in Fig. 7, in which position the reinforced ends 8' are secured together, for example, by stapling, to complete the package.

As hereinabove stated, the present invention is not limited to a package holding six cans. If the cans are sufficiently light, or if the material from which the holder is made is sufficiently strong, it is possible, without in any way departing from the scope of this invention, to produce a holder adapted to hold more cans. Likewise a smaller capacity holder may be made.

If rectangular or other straight-sided containers are employed the width of the tabs 6, may, if desired, be substantially as great as the width of the side of the container to which they are applied. With round containers, such as are commonly used for beer and dog food, the width of the tabs 6 is limited roughly to the width of an arc of the periphery of the can defined by a line drawn perpendicularly through the radius at a point in from the periphery a distance substantially equivalent to the height of the head on the container. Within such limitations the tabs will, when the holder is formed, fall within the periphery of the container top and thus insure the desired wedging action.

The invention is also not limited to any particular method of securing the tabs 3 in the locking position as shown in Fig. 3. An adhesive is not essential. This could be accomplished, without departing from the scope of the present invention, in various other ways, as by elongating the tabs 3' as shown in Fig. 8 so that the top and bottom tabs 3' can be stapled together, or by providing each tab 6 with a clip to snap onto the bead of the can.

Likewise the forming of the tabs 6 by the cut 5, though highly preferable from a matter of convenience and economy, is not absolutely essential. Such tabs could conceivably be formed separately and attached to the holder material by suitable means, or indeed, the holding flap 1 with the tabs 6 could be separately formed and attached along the fold line 2. In either such modification the slots 7 would not be essential. However, the unitary construction as shown is much more desirable than either of the suggested modifications.

The upstanding head 12, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, preferably projects slightly over the body of the can 4. This makes for more efiicient cooperation with the wedging tabs- 6.

It is also noted that it is not absolutely essential that the cans be locked to the holder at both top and bottom. Material and time may be saved by eliminating the lower portion of the holder entirely, but in such event, it is desirable to provide a strap, tie or other means for holding the bottom portions of the cans together.

Various other modifications within the scope of the invention will readily suggest themselves.

I claim:

1. In the combination of a paper board carton having two walls disposed at an angle to each other and an article having a bead-like projection, a locking device for the article comprising: a bent flap struck out of one of said walls, the flap having a free edge, a base and a face disposed intermediate said base and edge, said face engaging said projection.

2. A locking device as described in claim 1, the flap being struck from one wall and having its base connected to the other, and the projection lying between said face and the plane of the wall from which the flap is struck.

3. In the combination of a row of like articles having upwardly projecting top rims and downwardly projecting bottom rims, with a carton having a top wall overlying said top rims, a bottom wall underlying said bottom rims, and a side wall joined to said top and bottom walls, a first set of flaps struck from said side wall and having bases connected to said top wall, a second set of flaps struck from said side wall and having bases'connectedao said bottom wall, said first and second sets of flaps lying Within and engaging the top and bottom rims, respectively, of the articles in such a manner as to press the articles toward said side wall, and means securing said top and bottom walls in substantially parallel relationship, while leaving the sides of the articles substantially exposed on the side opposite said side wall.

4. The combination as described in claim 3, the means securing the top and bottom walls comprising a central strap connecting said top wall to said bottom' wall on the side opposite said side wall.

5. 1n the combination of a carton with an article having an end with an endwardly projecting rim, the carton having a first wall overlying the end of the article and a second wall connected to the first and disposed along one side of the article, a locking device comprising a flap struck out of the second wall and having a base connected to the first wall, the flap having an intermediate region lying adjacent to and engaging the inside of the rim, and an end portion disposed between the end of the article and the first wall.

6. A package comprising a plurality of containers each having a vertically extending side wall and a top wall and each having an upstanding and laterally projecting peripheral bead at the upper end of the container about said top wall, and a holder attached to said containers individually and securing them together as a unit, said holder being formed of sheet material having, associated with each container, a first portion extending essentially vertically along said side wall of the container and a second portion integrally connected to said first portion at a predetermined hinge location, said second portion being bent relative to said first portion at said hinge location and toward said top wall and to a position in which said second portion extends generally parallel to said top wall to a location radially inwardly beyond said bead,'said sheet material having a cut formed therein defining a slot at approximately said hinge location through which said bead of the associated container projects laterally beyond said side wall of the container to a location directly above an upper edge of said first vertically extending portion of the sheet material, the sheet metal from within said cut forming a tab attached to said second portion of the sheet material along one edge of the tab and bearing'tightly radically outwardly against the radially inner side of said head to thereby retain said first portion of the sheet material tightly against said side wall of the container, said tab and said first portion of the sheet material being clamped tightly against said bead and said side wall respectively in such closely proximate relation as to prevent the bead from slipping therebetween and thereby prevent detachment of the container from the holder except by relative deformation of said tab and said first portion.

7. A package as recited in claim 6, in which there is a handle attached to said holder for carrying it.

8. A package as recited in claim 6, including means securing said second portion of the sheet material in said position generally parallel to the container top wall.

9. A package as recited in claim 6, in which said containers have bottom beads, and said sheet material has.

associated with each container, a third portion turned horizontally beneath the container at a second hinge location, there being a second cut defining a second slot in the sheet material at the juncture of said first and third portions and through which said bottom bead projects laterally, the material from within said second cut forming a second tab bearing radially outwardly against said bottom bead.

10. A package as recited in claim 9, including means securing said second and third portions of the sheet material to the top and bottom respectively of the container.

11. A package as recited in claim 6, in which said containers are arranged in two rows, there being two interconnected strips of said sheet material associated with said two rows respectively and extending in essentially parallel proximate relation between the two rows to form said vertical portions associated with the different containers, said two strips being bent oppositely, along two horizontal hinge lines, and over said two rows respective-v ly to form said second portions of the sheet material, said slots associated with the difierent containers being formed at spaced locations along said two hinge lines, and there being a handle attached to said holder for carrying it.

12. A package as recited in claim 11, in which said containers have bottom peripheral beads, each of said strips of sheet material having a lower portion turned generally horizontally beneath the associated row of containers at a lower hinge line, there being a lower series of cuts in each strip of sheet material at said lower hinge line forming a lower series of slots through which said bottom beads project, the material from within said lower cuts forming a series of lower tabs bearing radially outwardly against said bottom beads, there being means securing said second horizontally turned portions of the sheet material generally parallel to the tops of the containers, and means securing said lower portions of the sheet material strips generally parallel to the bottoms of the containers.

13. In the combination of a carrier formed of sheet material having two walls disposed at an angle to each other and an article having an end with a bead-like projection, a locking device for the article comprising: a bent flap struck out of one of said walls, the fiap having afree edge, a base and a face disposed intermediate said base and edge, said face engaging said projection, a first of said walls overlying said end of the article and having said flap attached thereto at said base, a second of said walls being disposed along one side of the article, said first wall extending generally parallel to said end of the article to a'location radially inwardly beyond said projection and radially inwardly beyond the point of attachment of said base of the flap to said first wall.

14. A locking device as recited in claim 13, the flap being struck from said second wall, and the projection lying between said face and the plane of said second wall.

15. In the combination of a carrier with an article having an end with an endwardly projecting rim, the carrier having a first wall overlying the end of the article and a second wall connected to the first and disposed along one side of the article, a locking device comprising a flap struck out of the second wall and having a base connected to the first wall, the flap having an intermediate region lying adjacent to and engaging the inside of the rim, and an end portion disposed between the end ofthe article and the first wall, said first wall extending generally parallel to said end of the article to a location radially inwardly beyond said rim and radially inwardly beyond the point of attachment of said base of the flap to said first wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 897,608 Ely Sept. 1, 1908 2,126,407 Payne et al. Aug. 9, 1938 2,554,190 Hennessey May 22, 1951 2,646,911 Holmberg July 28, 1953 2,656,959 Currie Oct. 27, 1953 2,798,603 Grinspoon July 9, 1957 

